Thoughts, Ideas, and Concepts by Sandra Parks

Archive for the ‘HBCU’ Category

Miss Hampton University is a white girl this year and she has been getting scrutinized to no end. Nikole Churchill wrote a letter to President Obama about her plight:

Subject:
Hampton University

To:
President Barack Obama

October 11, 2009

Aloha Mr. Obama!

My name is Nikole Churchill, a senior nursing major at Hampton University. This past Friday October 9, 2009, I was honored to be crowned Miss Hampton University 2009-2010. It truly was the best night of my life! With that being said, I am sad to say…… that my crowning was not widely accepted and many negative comments regarding my win have been shared throughout my campus.

It would be much easier to say that possibly some were not accepting of the news because I wasn’t the most qualified contestant; however, the true reason for the disapproval was because of the color of my skin. I am not African-American. Despite the unfortunate beliefs that some are saying I should not have won, I am desperately trying to focus on those who believe in me and support me and my goal to represent this beautiful, multicultural campus the very best way that I can. I would love your help!

I am hoping that perhaps you would be able to make an appearance to my campus, Hampton University, so that my fellow Hamptonians can stop focusing so much on the color of my skin and doubting my abilities to represent, but rather be proud of the changes our nation is making towards accepting diversity. People are even nicknaming me, “lil Obama” because of various reasons. This is truly an honor as well!

I am also from Hawaii (Wahiawa) and I am hoping that you can assist me in opening some closed minds and help share some aloha spirit throughout my campus. I feel as though you could relate to my situation, which is why I immediately wanted to contact you. I was interviewed last night at the HU vs. HU football game by news channel 13 and I mentioned how individuals such as you and myself are making changes in hopes people can stop placing so much focus on our skin color by letting that define what we can, cannot, should, and/or should not do. Dr. Harvey welcomed me last night to the family with open arms and I was beyond honored when he told me that he is behind me 100%. I am proud to represent Hampton University and I am so proud having you to represent our home, our country. Your support with my crowning as Miss Hampton University 2009-2010 would be graciously appreciated. Please reply, I will be looking forward to it!

HAMPTON–For the first time ever Hampton University has a “Miss Hampton University” who is not black.

22-year-old Nikole Churchill was crowned Friday night during the annual pageant. She is a senior nursing major at Hampton University. Her mother is 100% Italian and her father is from Guam.

It’s the first time in the fifty year history that “Miss Hampton University” is not black.

“It’s actually an amazing feeling,” said Churchill. “I feel that we have come so far and no one really looks at color anymore.”

Many current students and alumni were surprised by the choice.

“I was very shocked, probably like most people,” said Patrece Parson. She was “Miss Hampton University” from 2003-2004. “She’s a first and we’ve never had one before.”

The vast majority of students at Hampton are black, so some worry Churchill won’t be able to represent the typical Hampton student.

“I think it will be challenging at first. Not just because she’s the first non black winner, but because she’s from the Virginia Beach campus,” said Parson. “Once that initial shock wears off, I do believe the students will come together and work with her.”

Churchill wrote a letter to President Obama in which she says her crowning has not been widely accepted on the HU campus due to her race. She invited the president to speak at the university on the topic of racial tolerance.

“I am hoping that perhaps you would be able to make an appearance to my campus, Hampton University, so that my fellow Hamptonians can stop focusing so much on the color of my skin and doubting my abilities to represent, but rather be proud of the changes our nation is making towards accepting diversity,” wrote Churchill.